Method and apparatus for separating air and oil

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine used for powering motor vehicles, especially motorcycles, which includes a lower chamber separated by a plate having a plurality of openings and having at least one window located near a bottom of the lower chamber, an upper chamber having at least one slot, and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers. The apparatus may also include a gasket positioned beneath the lower chamber and a lid positioned over the upper chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of the priority from U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/596,478, filed Sep. 27, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for separating air and oil and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine used for powering motor vehicles, especially motorcycles. The apparatus includes a lower chamber separated by a plate having a plurality of openings and having at least one window located near a bottom of the chamber, an upper chamber having at least one slot, and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many apparatus for separating the phases of the oil and gas mixture emitted from an internal combustion engine are known in the art. However, no known effective and economical apparatus exists which eliminates oil blowby emitted from the breather systems in motorcycle engines. Poor oil separation in the cylinder heads of the motorcycle engine is caused by the stock breather valves being overwhelmed by the volume of oil and air mist that reaches the valves during a really hard and/or long motorcycle ride. The oil mist that is released through the engine breather system ultimately ends up coating the side of the motorcycle, the motorcycle driver, and any passenger riding on the motorcycle.

Accordingly, there is a need for an effective and economical apparatus which eliminates blowby emitted from the breather system of motorcyle engines by separating oil from the air that is generated within the crankcase. The present invention does exactly that and has also been found to completely eliminate oil blowby generated within the crankcase/cam chest area of the TWINCAM 88 engine used in HARLEY DAVIDSON motorcycles thereby eliminating oil from being discharged out of the cylinder head outlets and into the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for separating air and oil emitted from an engine of a motor vehicle, and is especially directed to a method and apparatus for eliminating oil blowby generated from motorcycle engines by separating the oil from the air that is generated from the motorcycle engines. The apparatus includes a lower chamber that is separated by a plate having a plurality of openings contained therein and which includes at least one window near a bottom of the chamber, an upper chamber having at least one slot, and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers.

In one example of the present invention, a vent body may include the upper chamber, the lower chamber, and the flexible membrane, and the apparatus may also include a gasket positioned beneath the lower chamber of the vent body. In another example, the apparatus may include a lid positioned over the upper chamber of the vent body.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower chamber may be cylindrical in shape and the circumference of the upper chamber may be greater than the circumference/perimeter of the lower chamber. The present invention may also include one or more of 1) a snap ring positioned on top of the flexible membrane, 2) a washer positioned between the flexible membrane and the snap ring, and 3) a stanchion located below near the upper chamber and below any lid positioned over the upper chamber.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower chamber of the apparatus may include three windows and the upper chamber may include two slots.

The invention also includes a method for making a device or apparatus that eliminates oil residue emitted from an engine which includes the steps of providing a device having a lower chamber separated by a plate having a plurality of openings and at least one window near a bottom of the chamber, an upper chamber having at least one slot, and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers, attaching the device to an engine in place of the engine's breather system, and placing a lid over the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Embodiments of the present invention may include part or all of the features shown in one of these figures, or may include features form two or more figures. Embodiments of the present invention may also include features described in the specification, or elements of features described in the specification.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include features that would be familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document. Thus, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for separating air and oil;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for separating air and oil shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for separating air and oil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of exemplary embodiments of gaskets which may be used with the apparatus of the present invention for separating air and oil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a kit for eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine in accordance with the present invention which includes the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component may include a singular embodiment.

The invention is directed to a device for separating air and oil which results in eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine. FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device 10 and FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the same exemplary embodiment of the device 10. The device 10 for separating air and oil includes a lower chamber 12 separated by a plate 14 having a plurality of openings 16 contained therein and at least one window 18 located near a bottom of the lower chamber 12. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows three windows 18 positioned around the circumference of the bottom of lower chamber 12. Windows 18 may be positioned anywhere around the circumference of lower chamber 12.

The device 10 for separating air and oil also includes an upper chamber 20 having at least one slot 22 and a flexible membrane (see FIGS. 5 and 6) separating the upper chamber 20 and the lower chamber 12.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the device 10 of the present invention. Device 10 for separating air and oil includes a vent body 23 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible membrane 24 which is positioned such that it separates the lower chamber 12 from the upper chamber 20, a washer 26 (such as a vacuum regulator washer) positioned over the flexible membrane, a snap ring 28 positioned over the washer 26, and a lid 30 positioned over the vent body 23. Washer 26 and snap ring 28 are optional elements and lid 30 may also be optional depending upon the specific application of the device.

Device 10 also includes a stanchion 32 which extends from a top of the vent body 23 near the upper chamber 20. FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the exemplary embodiment of the device 10 for separating air and oil shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The side elevational view in FIG. 3 shows the device 10 upside down such that the lower chamber 12 extends beyond a bottom of the vent body 23 and stanchion 32 extends beyond a top of the vent body 23.

Another exemplary embodiment of device 10 may also include a gasket 40 having at least one window 42 as shown in FIG. 4. Window 42 may also contain a deflection bar 44. Gasket 40 shown in FIG. 4 includes two windows 42, each having a deflection bar 44. Gasket 40 also includes openings 46 for securing the gasket to vent body 23. Gasket 40 also includes a larger opening 48 to accommodate air flow through the stanchion 32. Gasket 50 is an additional, optional gasket which may be used in securing device 10 in place especially if it replaces an existing stock breather module for an engine.

In use, air and oil are introduced into device 10 upon the upstroke of an engine piston. In the exemplary embodiment which includes gasket 40, an air/oil mist contacts the windows 42 which contain deflection bars 44 and initiates a separation process of the air and oil. The air/oil mist then enters the lower chamber 12 of vent body 23 and engages the interior of lower chamber 12 which is in the center of vent body 23. Lower chamber 12 is shown as being cylindrical in shape in FIGS. 1 and 2 but may comprise any number of various geometric shapes. As the air/oil mist engages the interior of lower chamber 12, it continues a separation process by dividing the air/oil mist 90 degrees to each side of the lower chamber 12 at which point the remaining air/oil mist engages the three windows 18 located near the bottom portion of lower chamber 12 (see FIG. 1).

The separation process then continues as the air/oil mist is pushed up through the plurality of openings 16 contained in plate 14 that is positioned within lower chamber 12 and located under flexible membrane 24. This further separates the air/oil mixture. The air/oil mixture then further separates as it passes under the flexible membrane 24 and up into upper chamber 20 which is located above lower chamber 12. Upper chamber 20 has a circumference that is greater than the circumference of lower chamber 12.

The final separation process takes place as the reduced air/oil mixture is separated by means of at least one slot 22 contained in the upper chamber 20. FIG. 2 shows two slots 22 contained in upper chamber 20 which divert any remaining oil to exit the vent body 23 and route it back into the rocker box proper. The remaining air is then routed to the raised stanchion 32 located in the front portion of vent body 23 which directs the processed air to the cylinder breather outlets.

One exemplary embodiment of device 10 is specifically designed to replace the umbrella valve module located in the upper portion of the HARLEY DAVIDSON TWIN CAM 88 rocker box assembly which has been produced by the Harley Davidson Motor Company since 1999.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a kit for eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine which includes the exemplary embodiment of the device 10 shown in FIG. 5. Device 10 shown in FIG. 6 shows the flexible membrane 24, washer 26, and snap ring 28 positioned within vent body 23.

The foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of the subject invention. It will be appreciated that the foregoing description is not intended to be limiting; rather, the exemplary embodiments set forth herein merely set forth some exemplary applications of the subject invention. It will be appreciated that various changes, deletions, and additions may be made to the components and steps discussed herein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A device for eliminating oil residue emitted from an engine comprising: a gasket having at least one window; and a vent body having a lower chamber and an upper chamber separated by a flexible membrane wherein the lower chamber includes at least one window near a bottom of the lower chamber and a plate having a plurality of openings therein and the upper chamber has at least one slot contained therein.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower chamber is cylindrical.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper chamber has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of the lower chamber.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the vent body further comprises a stanchion.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a lid positioned over the vent body.
 6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a snap ring positioned on top of the flexible membrane.
 7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a washer positioned between the flexible membrane and the snap ring.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the gasket includes two windows.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower chamber of the vent body includes three windows.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible membrane is a rubber piston.
 11. A device for separating air and oil comprising: a lower chamber separated by a plate having a plurality of openings therein and having at least one window near a bottom of the lower chamber; an upper chamber having at least one slot; and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein the lower chamber is cylindrical in shape.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper chamber has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of the lower chamber.
 14. The device of claim 11 further comprising a gasket having at least one window, wherein the gasket is positioned beneath the lower chamber, and a lid positioned over the upper chamber.
 15. The device of claim 11 further comprising a stanchion located below the lid and near the upper chamber.
 16. The device of claim 11 further comprising a snap ring positioned on top of the flexible membrane.
 17. The device of claim 16 further comprising a washer positioned between the flexible membrane and the snap ring.
 18. The device of claim 11 wherein the lower chamber includes three windows.
 19. The device of claim 11 wherein the upper chamber includes two slots.
 20. A method for making a device that eliminates oil residue emitted from an engine comprising the steps of: providing a device having a lower chamber separated by a plate having a plurality of openings therein and at least one window near a bottom of the lower chamber, an upper chamber having at least one slot, and a flexible membrane separating the upper and lower chambers; attaching the device to an engine in place of the engine's breather system; and placing a lid over the device. 